Clifford Etienne
Clifford Etienne | |
|---|---|
| Born | Clifford Etienne March 9, 1972 |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | The Black Rhino |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 35 |
| Wins | 29 |
| Wins by KO | 20 |
| Losses | 4 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 0 |
Clifford Etienne (born March 9, 1972 in Lafayette, Louisiana), also known as "The Black Rhino", is a former American boxer, who is currently serving a 150 year prison sentence without possibility of parole.
Background
Etienne took up boxing while serving a 40 year prison sentence for armed robbery and won the state prison boxing championship. While in prison he was a member of the "Gunslingers" prison boxing team in Louisiana and reportedly had an 30-0 prison record. He was released on good behavior after serving 10 years.
Professional career
Upon being paroled from prison in 1998 he became a professional boxer; he won 29 matches (20 knockouts), lost 4, and drew 2.
Rise to the top
Etienne was named 2000's "Most Exciting Fighter to Watch" in the heavyweight division by The Ring Magazine, largely the result of his unanimous decision over then-undefeated Lawrence Clay Bey. The fight was widely considered to be one of the best heavyweight matches of that year. He also beat Lamon Brewster, the future WBO heavyweight champion, on points after ten rounds in May 2000. He landed a contract with Showtime and his stock began to rise, but it quickly fell after an upset loss to Fres Oquendo, who stopped Etienne in the eight round of their fight in March 2001.
After re-building some of his lost stature with wins, he was catapulted to the world's stage in a 2003 fight against Mike Tyson, where Etienne suffered a first round knock-out only 49 seconds after being caught with a right hand.
He holds notable wins over Cliff Couser, Lawrence Clay Bey and Lamon Brewster.
Decline
After the loss to Tyson, Etienne's future seemed to be that of a journeyman opponent. Calvin Brock stopped Etienne in the third round in January 2005.
Etienne's last fight was against Nicolay Valuev. "The Beast from the East", who would go on to become the WBA champion, stopped Etienne in the third round of their fight in Bayreuth, Germany in May 2005.
Trouble outside the ring
On August 11, 2005, Fightnews.com reported Etienne's ring career likely over with the following story:
- Well known heavyweight Clifford Etienne was arrested Wednesday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on charges of armed robbery, kidnapping and the attempted murder of a police officer. Etienne allegedly robbed a local business, car-jacked a vehicle containing a woman and her children, then pulled a gun on police officers. He is being held in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison with a $70,000 bond.
On June 22, 2006, following his trial in Baton Rouge, Etienne was found guilty and sentenced to 150 years in prison without parole for a cocaine fueled crime spree that included robbing a check cashing business, carjacking and kidnapping a family, and attempting to shoot two policemen [1].
References
- Mike Tyson KOs Clifford Etienne
- Tyson knocks out Etienne in 49 seconds
- Etienne arrested
- Heavyweight boxer Etienne arrested
- Clifford Etienne “The Black Rhino” Sentenced to 150 Years in Prison
External links
- Boxing record for Clifford Etienne from BoxRec (registration required)